Newcastle United suffered a 3-1 defeat against Everton in a pre-season match at Murrayfield in Edinburgh as new head coach Matthias Jaissle struggled with squad depth.
David Moyes' Everton side displayed greater control and composure throughout the contest, securing victory through goals from Thierno Barry, Iliman Ndiaye and Tyrique George. Harvey Barnes scored a late consolation goal for Newcastle, who wore their new change kit during the loss.
The defeat highlighted significant concerns over Newcastle's squad readiness ahead of the new Premier League season. Jaissle inherited the role after former manager Eddie Howe stepped down on the eve of pre-season, stating he could not continue after five years in charge.
Newcastle have lost four of their best and most experienced players this summer, including central midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The team currently requires two full-backs, central midfielders and additional attacking depth to remain competitive.
Transfer targets and squad needs
Newcastle have identified Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba as a potential transfer target. The 22-year-old is admired by Jaissle, although any potential deal is not currently active due to an ankle injury sustained by the player.
Jaissle acknowledged the squad's transfer needs following the match, indicating that discussions are being handled internally ahead of the transfer deadline.
"I think you all see the matches," Jaissle said. "You're also smart enough to see the needs in the squad. We handle these things internally. We are aware of what we need. There's still some time."
Addressing Newcastle's opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool, Jaissle admitted the team would not be at peak sharpness. "For sure, we cannot be on the peak," he said. "This is clear. We're just working now for a couple of days."
Defensive concerns over Sven Botman
Defensive instability was evident throughout the match at Murrayfield Stadium. Dutch centre-back Sven Botman delivered an uncertain performance, committing an error that led to an Everton goal and demonstrating sloppiness on the ball.
Botman signed a new four-year contract in January, but his form has dropped below the standard that earned him the deal. Club insiders had expressed concern that Botman appeared rigid in his movement toward the end of last season following a series of injuries.
With Botman struggling for confidence, Dan Burn appears a stronger option to start at left-sided centre-back alongside Malick Thiaw.
Midfield tactical changes and structural issues
Jaissle deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation in his first two matches, moving away from the three-man midfield system utilized by Howe for five years. The change led to a lack of central control as Everton scored twice in the first half.
Joelinton and new signing Aladji Bamba formed Newcastle's central midfield pairing, but the duo struggled to establish authority. Joelinton is accustomed to playing alongside two midfield teammates to assert his physical style, rather than filling a disciplined defensive role.
Bamba, a 20-year-old French midfielder signed from Monaco, has made only 25 senior appearances in his career. The youngster requires further time to adapt before being ready to start in the Premier League.
Youth performances and tactical outlook
Newcastle showed improvement in the second half following the introduction of Jacob Ramsey and 18-year-old Sean Steur in midfield. Steur has been Newcastle's standout performer during pre-season, demonstrating maturity and an ability to retain possession in tight areas.
Outside of Steur, ball retention remains a major vulnerability for Newcastle. With the defensive line lacking pace, counter-attacks following turnovers present an ongoing challenge for Jaissle's tactical setup.
